Super’s Life Span, Life Space Approach to Careers

Overview Developmental theory with 2 major tenets: 1. Career development is a life long process 2. Self concept influences human behavior Personal self concept Social self concept 1953 10 propositions of career development 1990 14 propositions of career development

14 Propositions 1. Individual differences exist 2. We fit certain occupations 3. Each occupations calls for a specific personality type 4. Our vocational preferences change 5. The process of change is divided into stages 6. Career patterns are influenced by external factors 7. Readiness to deal with the demands of an occupation influence the types of job we will occupy

14 Propositions 8. Career maturity is a psychosocial construct 9. Development is guided by many factors 10. Career development is the implementation of occupational self concepts 11. We experiment with occupations to find one that fits 12. Work satisfaction is dependent on numerous variables 13. The greater the implemental in self concepts the greater job satisfaction 14.Work provides a place for personality expression

Developmental Stages Growth (birth to age 14 or 15) 4 major developmental tasks Exploration (ages 15-24) 3 major developmental tasks Establishment (ages 25-44) Maintenance (ages 45-64) Decline (age 65+)

Developmental Stages Caveat Progression through stages is flexible The stags are not linear Some people have to complete 1 or 2 stages multiple times before moving on Life Rainbow (page 42) Archway Model (page 43)

Super’s Theory Empirical Evaluations Difficult to establish empirical support due to the broad nature of the theory Osipow and Fitzgerald (1996) and Hackett, Lent, and Greenhaus (1991) support Super’s theory in general

Super’s Counseling Strategy 1. Assessment in 4 phases A. life structure and work salience B. career development status and resources C. vocational identity D. occupational self concepts and life themes 2. Data integration and narrative interpretation 3. Counseling goals 4. Procedures 5. Processes

Healy’s (1982) Counseling Strategy Stage 1: establish client individuality Stage 2: identifying and selecting strategies Stage 3: teaching and aiding implementation Stage 4: verifying goal achievement